偏光分解顕微鏡を用いたアルコール性肝線維症の線維化の量的・質的評価系の開発

Liver fibrosis is assessed mainly by conventional staining or second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, which can only provide collagen content in fibrotic area. We propose to use polarization-resolved SHG (PR-SHG) microscopy to quantify liver fibrosis in terms of collagen fiber orientation and crystallization. Liver samples obtained from autopsy cases with fibrosis stage of F0–F4 were evaluated with an SHG microscope, and 12 consecutive PR-SHG images were acquired while changing the polarization azimuth angle of the irradiated laser from 0° to 165° in 15° increments using polarizer. The fiber orientation angle (φ) and degree (ρ) of collagen were estimated from the images. The SHG-positive area increased as the fibrosis stage progressed, which was well consistent with Sirius Red staining. The value of φ was random regardless of fibrosis stage. The mean value of ρ (ρ-mean), which represents collagen fiber crystallinity, varied more as fibrosis progressed to stage F3, and converged to a significantly higher value in F4 than in other stages. Spatial dispersion of ρ (ρ-entropy) also showed increased variation in the stage F3 and decreased variation in the stage F4. It was shown that PR-SHG could provide new information on the properties of collagen fibers in human liver fibrosis

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with multiple intracranial masses and CMV and HHV-6 reactivation at initial presentation

症例は55歳，男性。1ヶ月前からの咽頭痛の精査目的で紹介された。意識障害と項部硬直，口腔内の多発性有痛性潰瘍，全身に米粒大の紅斑を認めた。白血球数7,910/μL (異常リンパ球2%)，LDH 203U/L，補正カルシウム11.2mg/dL,可溶性IL-2受容体11,800U/mL，サイトメガロウイルス抗原(C10，C11)43/49。末梢血や骨髄，皮膚にCD4，25陽性の異常リンパ球あり，末梢血でHTLV-1プロウイルスDNAのモノクローナルな組み込みを確認し，成人T細胞白血病リンパ腫(ATLL)と診断した。CTで，脳実質内にリング状造影効果を有する腫瘤が多発し，髄液検査で細胞数1,320/mm3 (フローサイトメトリー法でATLL細胞が79%)，蛋白244mg/dL，HHV-6 DNA陽性を認めた。ヘルペスウイルス属感染症に対する治療や髄注を併用してmodified LSG15療法を行うも，意識障害が急速に進行し，入院21日目で死亡した。ATLLでは，中枢神経浸潤のさらなる病態の解明と標準治療の確立が求められる。A 55-year-old man, suffering from a sore throat for a month was referred to our hospital. Physical examination revealed disturbance of consciousness, nuchal rigidity, painful multiple ulcers in the oral cavity and rice grain sized erythema on the whole body. Hematological examination showed the following: white blood cell 7,910/μL (abnormal lymphocytes 2%), LDH 203U/L, corrected calcium 11.2mg/dL, soluble IL-2 receptor 11,800U/mL, and cytomegalovirus antigenemia (C10,C11) 43/49. Abnormal lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+) were found in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and skin samples. Southern blotting of peripheral blood confirmed monoclonal integration of HTLV-1 provirus DNA, consequently, he was diagnosed with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed multiple tumors with ringed contrast effect in the brain parenchyma. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid showed that the cell number was 1,320/mm3 (ATLL cells were 79% in flow cytometry), and the protein level was 244mg/dL; further, the examination revealed a positive result for human herpesvirus 6 DNA. Although treatment for herpesvirus genus and modified LSG15 therapy combined with intrathecal chemotherapy were performed, the patient became comatose, and he died on day 21 of hospitalization. A deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of and the establishment of standard treatment for ATLL with CNS involvement are required

Phase angle and extracellular water-to-total body water ratio estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis are associated with levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit in patients with diabetes

Background: Anemia is one of the common complications of diabetes and is associated with mortality. Phase angle (PhA), ratio of extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have been used as prognostic indicators for various chronic diseases and frailty. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI for anemia in patients with diabetes. Materials and methods: The values of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI were estimated by a portable BIA device and blood samples were collected in 371 Japanese patients with diabetes. The relationships of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI with hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) were statistically evaluated. Results: In simple linear regression analysis, PhA and SMI were positively correlated with Hgb and Hct levels in total subjects, male subjects and female subjects. In contrast, ECW/TBW was negatively correlated with Hgb and Hct levels regardless of sex. Multivariate regression analysis showed that both PhA and ECW/TBW but not SMI independently contributed to Hgb and Hct levels after adjustment of clinical confounding factors in both males and females. Conclusions: PhA and ECW/TBW but not SMI were associated with levels of Hgb and Hct in patients with diabetes. Therefore, aberrant values of PhA and ECW/TBW suggest a risk of anemia in diabetic patients

多職種連携と患者特性に配慮したケアを行った高度肥満症の一例

A ４８-year-old man who weighed ２１６ kg was significantly overweight with a body mass index （BMI）of ７５．６kg/m２, and was unable to walk due to disuse syndrome. Because of the psychological and social problems in the background, a psychological examination was performed and the staff took time to build a trusting relationship with the patient, taking into account his characteristics. With diet and rehabilitation, he was able to lose weight to １２４kg and BMI ４３．９kg/m２ over ６００ days, and was able to walk with assistive devices and defecate by himself. The patient was discharged from our hospital after a series of multidisciplinary meetings with medical, nursing, welfare, and governmental agencies to create an environment for home recuperation. The reasons for the improvement to enable him to be discharged from the hospital were due to the multi-disciplinary meetings among the staff inside and outside the hospital, information sharing and advanced coordination, and smooth communication with the patient by taking into account his characteristics from a psychological standpoint

Systemic amyloidosis by LPL

We present the case of an 81-year-old woman with right shoulder discomfort and right supraclavicular lymph node swelling who referred to our hospital. Blood tests results showed normal immunoglobulin levels, but free light chain assay showed abnormal κ/λ ratio. Serum immunoelectrophoresis detected immunoglobulin G-λ type M proteins. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose computed tomography revealed swelling of the right supraclavicular and mediastinal lymph nodes. Biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node showed a mixture of small lymphocytes with plasma cell-like round cells that were positive for cell surface CD20, CD138, CD56, IgG and λ, and negative for transthyretin and amyloid A. They had a Congo red stain-positive, glass-like surrounding structure and apple-green birefringence was observed under polarized light. Duodenal, gastric, and skin biopsies also showed amyloid deposits. We diagnosed the patient with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma complicated by systemic light-chain amyloidosis. Rituximab monotherapy led to complete metabolic response. Systemic amyloidosis is a rare complication of B-cell lymphoma; however, the possibility of amyloidosis should be considered, even in patients with lymphadenopathy

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, an Adrenal Androgen, Is Inversely Associated with Prevalence of Dynapenia in Male Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is thought to be associated with life expectancy and anti-aging. Although skeletal muscle disorders are often found in diabetic people, the clinical significance of DHEAS in skeletal muscle remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether DHEAS is associated with the development of skeletal muscle disorders in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 361 individuals with T2D. Serum DHEAS levels, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength (HS), and gait speed (GS) were measured in the participants. Pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and dynapenia were defined according to the definitions of the AWGS 2019 criteria. DHEAS level was positively associated with HS but not with SMI or GS after adjustment of confounding factors. Multiple logistic regression analyses in total subjects showed that DHEAS level had an inverse association with the prevalence of dynapenia but not with the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia. Furthermore, a significant association between DHEAS level and dynapenia was found in males but not in females. ROC curve analysis indicated that cutoff values of serum DHEAS for risk of dynapenia in males was 92.0 μg/dL. Therefore, in male individuals with T2D who have low serum levels of DHEAS, adequate exercise might be needed to prevent dynapenia